We thank each and everyone who applied, it was extremely hard choice!
Seven selected Armenian musicians will be featured during an online globally promoted Gala concert on May 16, 2025.
Only 4 (four) candidates will get an opportunity to record a single or EP (mini album) as soon as this July in Yerevan. The four winners will be announced at the end of the online Gala concert.
If you were not selected — we encourage you to apply again the next year.
The Shortlisted Artists:
Vahan Sargsyan, classic guitar
Meet Vahan Sargsyan – Winner of the Emerging Artists Program Special Prize by Edgardo Vertanessian, Co-founder and CEO of Prima Classic
Vahan Sargsyan, born on January 30, 2002, in Yerevan, began his classical guitar journey at age 10. He graduated from the P. I. Tchaikovsky Secondary Music School and is currently in his third year at the Yerevan State Conservatory — in both institutions, he studied under the guidance of Nune Badalyan.
In 2025, as part of the Emerging Artists Program, Vahan received the Special Prize from Edgardo Vertanessian, Co-founder and CEO of Prima Classic, which grants him the opportunity to record an additional EP — a major step in his artistic path.
His collaboration with the Primavera Foundation began in 2022, when he participated in master classes by renowned guitarist Artem Dervoed. Impressed by his performance and potential, Dervoed personally recommended Vahan as a tutor in the Foundation’s Classical Guitar Program. Later, Vahan joined the “Armenian Musicians for Armenian Communities” initiative, taking part in a regional concert tour across Syunik, where he inspired local audiences through his performances.
Support the program to help more talented Armenian musicians like Vahan thrive.
Suren Babayan, piano
Meet Suren Babayan – Nominee of the Emerging Artists Program
Suren began his musical journey at the Yerevan Music School named after Sayat-Nova, later continuing at the Alexander Adjemian Music School. He is currently completing his Master’s degree in Performing Arts (Piano) at the Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas, where he also earned his Bachelor’s.
Throughout his studies, Suren has been recognized for his talent and dedication. He won first prizes at the Yerevan Music and Art Schools Competition-Festival and the Art Music Piano Competition, and received third prize at the Kamerton-Soloists Piano Competition. He has taken part in prestigious events such as “Aram Khachaturian 120,” and has refined his craft through masterclasses with renowned pianists like Yuri Bogdanov, Polina Osetinskaya, Pascal Godart, Irina Krasotina, and others.
His Emerging Artists Program project is dedicated to reviving Armenian piano music by recording and sharing forgotten or rarely performed works by Armenian composers. From lesser-known talents to hidden gems by iconic figures like Khachaturian and Babadjanian, Suren aims to bring these pieces back to life and make them accessible to audiences, students, and musicians around the world.
“I want to introduce the world to Armenia’s unheard piano masterpieces.” – Suren Babayan
Support the program to help more talented Armenian musicians like Suren thrive.
Ruben Kozin, piano
Meet Ruben Kozin – Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Ruben Kozin is an Armenian pianist whose artistry blends virtuosic brilliance with deep musical insight. He began his piano journey at just five years old and went on to study at the prestigious Central Music School and Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, under the guidance of renowned professor Natalia Trull.
A laureate of over 15 international competitions and festivals, Ruben has been recognized at events such as the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Belgium), Aram Khachaturian International Competition (Armenia), and the Malta International Piano Competition.
Ruben has performed extensively in Armenia and abroad — from France and Germany to Kazakhstan and Japan — and has graced stages at the Visages d’Arménie Festival, Moscow Meets Friends, Gradus Piano Festival in Denmark, and more.
His repertoire spans over 15 piano concertos. Ruben collaborates with top orchestras including the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra (with Sergey Smbatyan) and the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, and has worked alongside celebrated violinists like Thomas Lefort and Karen Shahgaldyan.
A passionate advocate for contemporary music, Ruben actively inspires composers to write new works. In May 2024, he premiered Eduard Hayrapetyan’s Second Piano Sonata, written especially for him.
Ruben Kozin is also a fellow of the Primavera Foundation Armenia, supporting his mission to elevate Armenian music on the global stage.
Support the next generation of Armenian musicians.
Gur Sargsyan, piano
Meet Gur Sargsyan – Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Born on November 16, 2006, Gur Sargsyan is one of Armenia’s brightest young pianists.
A student of Professor Vagharshak Harutyunyan at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, Gur has already established an impressive international reputation at just 18 years old.
Gur is a laureate of major competitions, including:
• 1st Prize – BTHVN Wien International Competition (Austria, 2023)
• 1st Prize – Scherzo International Piano Competition (Israel, 2024)
• 1st Prize – London International Music Competition (UK, 2024)
• 1st Prize – Medici International Music Competition (2024)
• Special Prizes for Best Beethoven and Rachmaninoff performances.
As part of the Emerging Artists Program, Gur has proposed a bold and diverse solo program, demonstrating both his technical mastery and emotional depth:
• Rachmaninoff – Corelli Variations
• Chopin – Piano Sonata No. 3 and Ballade No. 4
• Liszt – Dante Sonata
• Ravel – Gaspard de la Nuit
• Schumann – Symphonic Etudes
• Rachmaninoff – Selected Preludes (No. 5, 6, 7, 10, 12)
Support the future of Armenian classical music — help talents like Gur reach new heights.
Hayk Hekekyan, oboe
Meet Hayk Hekekyan – Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Hayk Hekekyan, 19, is an Armenian oboist currently studying at the Cologne Academy of Music and Dance under the guidance of Christian Wetzel. He graduated from the Sayat-Nova School of Music in 2023, where he studied under the guidance of Harutyun Shakhkyan.
Selected awards include:
• Finalist – Classical Eurovision 2024, Norway
• 1st Prize – XI Stockholm International Music Competition, Sweden
• Absolute First Prize – Fanny Mendelssohn International Competition, Belgium, 2024
• 1st Prize – Euterpe International Music Competition, Germany
• Winner – The Road to Classical Eurovision, Armenia, 2024
He has performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, Moscow Virtuosi, St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, and the Broadcasting Orchestra of Norway.
As part of the Emerging Artists Program, Hayk plans to record a program focused on ancient Armenian spiritual chants arranged for the oboe, alongside a Baroque or Classical work that highlights the instrument’s lyrical and expressive qualities.
The recording project aims to further develop his performance and studio experience.
Support the next generation of Armenian musicians.
Gayane Aslanyan, piano
Meet Gayane Aslanyan – Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Gayane Aslanyan is a pianist and composer who seamlessly blends classical tradition with contemporary creativity.
She holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Advanced Piano Performance diploma from the Yerevan State Conservatory under the guidance of Vagharshak Harutyunyan, and later expanded her expertise with a Sound Design for Media course at XSSR Academy.
Gayane’s achievements include:
• 1st Prize – “Heaven and Earth” Competition, Moscow
• Best Accompanist – Khachaturian Competition
• AGBU “Artbox Entrepreneur” grant recipient
As an artist, Gayane is known for her versatility:
• She has performed at leading venues such as Gafesjian Concert Hall, Khachaturian House-Museum, and Babajanyan Concert Hall.
• She held multiple sold-out solo recitals at TODA Dubai.
• Her debut album, Ghibliana, inspired by anime music, has surpassed 100,000 streams on Spotify.
Alongside her career as a solo performer, she works as an accompanist at the Yerevan State Conservatory and is active as a private piano teacher, composer, and sound designer.
Through the Emerging Artists Program, Gayane continues to develop her unique musical language — merging classical performance, electroacoustic sounds, and contemporary storytelling.
Support artists like Gayane who are shaping the future of music.
Shushan Arevshatyan, piano
Meet Shushan Arevshatyan – Pianist, Composer, and Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Born in 2003 in Yerevan, Shushan Arevshatyan has been shaping her musical identity since the age of five. A graduate of the P. I. Tchaikovsky Specialized Music School and currently a student of Professor Vagharshak Harutyunyan at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, Shushan stands out as both a brilliant pianist and an emerging composer.
Shushan is a laureate of numerous international competitions, including:
• 2nd Prize – IX Stockholm International Music Competition (2022)
• 1st Prize – Erik Satie International Music Competition (2024)
• 1st Prize – Grand Master Music Competition (2024)
• 2nd Prize – Classical Music Stars International Competition (2024)
As part of her Emerging Artists Program journey, Shushan has proposed a rich and challenging solo program. Her repertoire includes masterpieces such as:
Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D minor
Haydn’s Andante & Variations in F minor
Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 7 (“Stalingrad”)
Scriabin’s Sonata No. 5
Plus her own original composition, Extasis – a bold contemporary Armenian work.
With a vision to explore both the lyrical and dramatic extremes of the piano, Shushan aims to record these works to highlight the beauty of interpretation, improvisation, and the enduring voice of Armenian music.
Support young Armenian artists like Shushan in bringing new ideas and interpretations to life.
Narek Hekekyan, cello
Meet Narek Hekekyan – Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Narek Hekekyan is an Armenian cellist currently studying at the Zurich University of the Arts. Previously, he studied at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory and graduated with honors from the Sayat-Nova School of Music.
Selected awards include:
• 1st Prize – World’s Best Musicians Competition, Poland, 2023
• 1st Prize – Tokyo International Music Competition, Japan, 2022
• 1st Prize – International BTHVN Wien Music Competition, Austria, 2022
• Grand Prix – Silk Way International Competition, Russia, 2021
• 1st Prize – AGBU Discovers Talents String Instruments Competition, Armenia, 2021
His experience includes performances at the Collegium Musicum International Academy (Germany), the Tsinandali Fest (Georgia), and concert collaborations with renowned musicians such as Gautier Capuçon, Yuja Wang, and Mischa Maisky.
As part of the Emerging Artists Program, Narek proposes a recording project that combines Armenian and European classical music. His program includes works by Komitas, reflecting Armenian cultural heritage, and selections from Bach’s Cello Suites, representing technical and emotional depth.
The recording will support Narek’s professional development and serve as a step toward his future goal of establishing a music academy for talented youth in Armenia’s regions. Support the next generation of Armenian musicians.
On the top of that!
Prima Classic Record Label / Edgardo Vertanessian’s Special Prize: the additional EP recording slot goes to Vahan Sargsyan, classical guitar.
Congratulations to all the musicians! Being chosen is a big achievement, we thank you for your dedication and hard work.
Primavera Charitable Foundation and Prima Classic Record Label in partnership with Armenpole digital platform are proud to support the next generation of Armenian artists and is excited to see the music they will bring to the world!